NOTO would like to hear from industry about any cancellations, concerns you or your clients may have surrounding COVID-19, or any other impacts you may be noticing. We would like to stay up-to-date on all developments to keep members and Government informed.

This page will be updated regularly as the situation unfolds. *Last updated June 5, 2020.

NOTO has worked closely with our industry-led task force to develop health and safety protocols which cover all aspects of tourism from check-in, accommodations ranging from cabins to outposts and houseboats, and services related to hunting and fishing. These protocols have been reviewed by Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and will be vetted shortly!

We urge all operators to implement enhanced health and safety protocols prior to opening their businesses and ensure you comply with all other emergency orders! Please note, these health and safety protocols are subject to change as the emergency orders change and additional information on COVID-19 becomes available. We will advice you if we make any modifications to this document as we continue to face this pandemic.

Through consultations with all of you, as well as other Provincial and National tourism organizations, NOTO has prepared and sent a request for support for the resource-based tourism industry. To view the supports we have asked for to date, please click here.

As you will note, some of these items have already been addressed as small businesses call for action. Our Governments continue to update existing supports and develop new ones on a weekly basis. We will strive to get the ear of Government to have the recommendations we have made come to fruition. NOTO will continue to take these items forward one our own as well as through our tourism partners like Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations (CFOA).

To read NOTO's joint press release with TIAO and Indigenous Tourism Ontario,and to view our official requests to Government to support the resource-based tourism industry, please click here.

The Prime Minister also announced changes to the Canada Emergency Business Account ($40,000 loan). The program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll. To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:

a business operating account at a participating financial institution

a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.

eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will be extended to August 29th which will allow more businesses to get back on their feet. The Federal Government is also proposing legislative changes which would enable support for seasonal employees and employees returning from extended leave.

Ontario extended the emergency orders to June 9th. All emergency orders remain the same including the closure of non-essential businesses, closure of outdoor recreational amenities, restaurants open for take-out or delivery only, gathering restrictions of up to 5 individuals. The state of emergency has been extended to June 30th.

It's Official! Our Sector Can Open!

Here are some clarifications to your questions:

We have received an email from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing confirming the following: "Starting Friday, June 5 at 12:01 am , our government is allowing short term rentals including lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and B&Bs to resume operations in Ontario. This follows actions to slowly reopen businesses and resume activities across the province, including the re-opening of provincial parks for day use, the gradual reintroduction of backcountry camping at provincial parks and the re-opening of marinas and golf courses."

THANK YOU to all of you for taking up our call to action!! There is no doubt in our minds here at NOTO that your letters and your phone calls to Health Units, OPP and municipalities helped to spur on this decision.

Please ensure you comply with all other emergency orders , have enhanced health and safety protocols in place, and that you open when you are ready!

Gathering restrictions of no more than 5 individuals - We continue to seek clarification as to whether or not the 5 individuals need to be from the same household. Until we receive clarification, NOTO recommends only booking individuals who come from the same household.

Here are some clarifications to some of the questions we've been receiving.

Guiding Services: Until we have clarification as to whether or not the gathering of 5 individuals means we can only open our accommodations and rent boats to individuals from the same household, we encourage operators to provide guides with their own watercraft.

Food Services: As of May 28th, restaurants and bars remain closed and must offer take-out or delivery services only.

Rental Equipment: We've heard from a few operators who were concerned about rental equipment. Under the essential services list (#7 under services) , equipment rentals are permitted so long as you properly clean/disinfect all rental equipment between use as indicated in section 2.5 under consumer products.

Outdoor Recreational Activities: Beaches are no longer listed under the outdoor recreational amenities however social distancing must be enforced. All outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, all pools, hot tubs, splash pads, water slides, communal facilities and areas containing outdoor fitness equipment must remain closed as indicated in the emergency order .

Public Facilities: All public washrooms, showers, laundry facilities and other shared public facilities are to remain closed as identified in various sections of the essential services list and in the emergency orders.

For those with seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks: The essential services list still indicates that seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks can only open to those who have a full season contract and who's trailers are hooked up to electricity, water and have access to a sewage disposal facility. We urge all operators who continue to be impacted by these emergency orders to continue our industry-led campaign as this is creating unfair opportunities within the tourism sectors. NOTO will continue to press Government to allow you all to open!!

NOTE: The Ontario and Federal Governments are regularly updating COVID-19 information, travel information, Minister statements, Government initiatives and statistics on their websites. For additional information from the Ontario or Federal Government, please click on the links below.

Businesses will get five months of interest and penalty relief to file and make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes. Between April 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, the province will not apply any penalty or interest on any late-filed returns or incomplete or late tax payments under select provincially administered taxes, such as Employer Health Tax, Tobacco Tax and Gas Tax.

Northern Ontario rural property tax deferral. If you're within municipal boundaries please contact your local tax department within the city or municipal office to see if they've initiated their own program.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: will be extended pass the original June date to help more businesses get back on their feet. We expect to hear more on this this week.

Business Credit Availability Program: making loans more accessible to businesses of all types and sizes. The Government announced that they will be changing the eligibility requirements to make this more accessible to businesses of all sizes in all sectors in the upcoming week.

Regional Relief Recovery Fund: provide rural businesses in the North with access to capital through the Comminity Futures Network and FedNor, and businesses South of the Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka Disctricts through FedDev.

GST/HST/Duty Deferrals: businesses, including self-employed individuals, can defer until June 30, 2020 payments of the GST/HST, as well as customs duty owing on their imports.

We have just received an email from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing confirming the following:

"Starting Friday, June 5 at 12:01 am, our government is allowing short term rentals including lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and B&Bs to resume operations in Ontario. This follows actions to slowly reopen businesses and resume activities across the province, including the re-opening of provincial parks for day use, the gradual reintroduction of backcountry camping at provincial parks and the re-opening of marinas and golf courses."

Watch for more information in the Provincial announcements today and tomorrow. We will share links to official announcements once they become available.

THANK YOU to all of you for taking up our call to action!! There is no doubt in our minds here at NOTO that your letters and your phone calls to Health Units, OPP and municipalities helped to spur on this decision.

We know that this does not bring our US guests in but it does put our sector on the Essential Workplace list and we hope that this will help in our efforts to get our US owners across.

We urge each of you to only open WHEN YOU ARE READY! NOTO's health and safety protocols have not been officially vetted by the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services and will be shared with all of you tomorrow. We are here to help guide you through a safe re-opening. Please ensure you comply with all other emergency orders which remain in place (i.e: gathering restrictions of no more than 5 individuals, closure of outdoor recreational amenities, closure of pools, spas, and fitness facilities, and restaurant/bar restrictions).

Thank you all once again for your help in making this happen.

Seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks can now prepare for the upcoming season. They can not open to the general public except for those who have paid a full season contract. For individuals who have paid a full season contract, the following applies: their trailer must be stationary, must be hooked up to water and electricity, have access to a facility for sewage disposal and act as a secondary permanent residence, much like seasonal residents who live in their cottages for most of the summer. These residents will be allowed to stay overnight in their trailers. All other facilities must remain closed as stated in the emergency order regarding the closure of outdoor recreational spaces. All other public amenities such as public washrooms must also remain closed.

The declaration of the State of Emergency by the Government of Ontario needs to be revised every two weeks in order to make the decision on whether or not it will be extended for another two weeks. As a result, subsequent emergency orders, regulations and amendments issued under s.7.0.1 and 7.0.2(4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act are reviewed during this time. All of the emergency orders will also be reviewed during this time. We will advise you of any changes that may occur in the upcoming days! Government has made it clear that their recommendations to everyone is to avoid all non-essential travel.

Government has implemented severe fines for any individual or business who breaks any of the emergency orders. In addition to all these restrictions, new emergency orders and restrictions may be added as the situation progresses.

MORE GOOD NEWS! ...US Camp Owners Will Now be Permitted to Enter Canada!

This just in from Canada Border Services Agency. Please read through it carefully and follow the recommendations for proceeding. We can't wait to welcome all of our US camp owners back.

To our Valued Partners in Tourism,

As you may have heard, the province of Ontario has allowed lodges, camps and cabin rentals to start reopening subject to safe protocols and restrictions. This only applies to Canadian guests as the border restrictions continue until June 21, 2020.

Foreign Nationals who own a Canadian lodge/camp will be allowed to apply for a LMIA exempt work permit at the Ports of Entry, so long as their business qualifies to open and their intent is to operate for the summer of 2020.

Once a work permit is issued, the Foreign National would be allowed to enter as an authorized worker, but will need to be able to self-isolate for 14 days at a designated address subject to public health quarantine rules. (Information will be provided when you arrive at the border)

To facilitate a large influx of people seeking work permits we would like to have you contact the Port of Entry where you normally cross and they will direct you as to any changes in the process. In Fort Frances, where we issue the majority of camp owner work permits, we will be implementing a pre-screening process and be issuing the permits by appointment to handle the volume. I hope that by mutual respect and cooperation we can meet the needs of this large group of foreign workers and keep our backlogs to a minimum. We are also working to ensure the health and safety or our Officers and all of our clients in this challenging time.

As a group of business owners you have been patient with the inability to attend to your place of business and I would ask for your patience over the weekend as we ready our processes to prepare for your arrival. We will be in a better position to accept your work permit applications next week and will start the scheduling of appointments after we review the information that you will be asked to provide.

The federal border remains closed to all non-essential travel from all countries, including the USA. The next review of this closure is set to take place on June 20th, with possibility of extension. There is no timeline as to when the Canada-USA border may re-open.

A new order has been initiated as of May 26th, 2020 with regards to flights.

Operators must ensure all passengers and crew members wear masks while boarding the plane, during the flight and upon exiting the plane. Very few exceptions apply (please view regulations for more details). For non-medical masks or face coverings, they need to be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material such as cotton or linen and be large enough to completely cover a person's mouth and nose without gaping and can be secured to a person's head with ties or ear loops.

Before boarding an aircraft for a domestic flight, the operator must notify every person that intends to board the flight that they may be subject to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 taken by the provincial or territorial government at the destination for that flight.

The operator must conduct a health check of every person before the person boards an aircraft for a flight that the operator operates. This regulation states the following:

Health check

5 (1) An operator conducting a health check must ask questions of every person to verify whether they exhibit the following symptoms:

(a) a fever;

(b) a cough; and

(c) breathing difficulties.

5 (2) In addition to the health check, the operator must ask every person

(a) whether they have been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19; and

(b) whether they are the subject of a mandatory quarantine order as a result of recent travel or as a result of an order issued by a provincial or local public health authority.

5 (3) The operator must advise every person not to provide answers to the health check questions and the additional questions that they know to be false or misleading.

Anyone who states that they have been exhibiting symptoms, have been refused boarding in the past 14 days, are subject to mandatory quarantine as a result of recent travel or as a result of an order issued by a provincial or local health authority, and any individual who are visible beginning to show symptoms of COVID-19 must be denied. Individuals who do not have a mask, refuses to comply with instructions given by a crew member with respect to wearing a face mask, or refuse to answer the screening questionnaire must also be denied entry.

Operators are encouraged to read these regulations to ensure compliance. If you are using an air service, ensure they are in compliance with these regulations and ensure they provide you with information to share with your guests. Operators who are using their own aircraft are also expected to have enhanced health and safety protocols and are expected to properly screen their employees prior to boarding the plane. This means ensuring you can implement social distancing to the best of your abilities, have employees wear proper protective equipment, enhance the cleaning of the cabin space and all frequently touched areas and so forth. Operators are encouraged to follow the advice offered by Transport Canada in their "Guidance for Aviation Operators" webpage.

All of the latest transportation updates for aviation, rail, marine and road can be seen here. Another thing to consider is that the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safetyrecommends that there should be no more than 4 employees within a 1000 sq ft working area and no more than 10 employees within a 10,000 sq ft area. Please keep this in mind when planning how many employees you will transport or have working at any one time. Operators with any further questions can contact Transportation Canada via e-mail at questions@tc.gc.ca

We've heard from several operators who would like to bring employees to their camps to conduct maintenance. Many are concerned about how to comply with Ministry of Labour expectations and how the gathering restrictions would impact how many employees they can have on site. As a result, NOTO has conducted research to find some resources to help operators comply with emergency orders, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the expected enhanced health and safety measures.

According the the Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety, there should be no more than 3-4 employees per 1000 sq ft or workspace, and no more than 10 employees within a 10,000 sq ft work area. This goes for both indoor and outdoor work areas. By limiting the amount of employees on site, you can properly implement social distancing practices in the workplace. the CCOHS also created workplace tips which are updated regularly as new information becomes available from medical experts. We recommend operators reference the Work Camp information sheet from the CCOHS. This worksheet covers everything from screening employees prior to transportation, enhanced cleaning measures to protect your employees, how to implement social distancing, best practices and so forth. CCOHS also offers other tip sheets, free pandemic courses, posters, business continuity plans, as well as an emergency response planning guide.

You may house essential workers, however, the Ministry of Labour will expect you to have signage and enhanced health and safety policies in place.

Housing Essential Workers: The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety has put together a great information sheet with tips regarding housing of workers and disinfecting/cleaning tips. Although focused on work camps, it can easily be transformed to suit your needs. Ideally, only have one employee per bedroom/cabin. Otherwise, ensure there is adequate space to ensure social distancing requirements and gathering restrictions can be met.

What type of protocols should I have in place/Ministry of Labour Expectations: Have a policy in your employee manual that focuses on working during a pandemic. NOTO created this policy which can be used by operators to help them create their own policy to best suit their business needs. The ministry also expects businesses to have signage focusing on awareness of the virus and it's symptoms, enhanced hygiene practices and social distancing requirements.

You can also used NOTO's Infographs as a resource to help you prepare your business and enhance your cleaning protocols. NOTO is taking the lead on developing health and safety protocols designed specifically for the resource-based tourism industry. We expect that these will be available in the next two to three weeks.

Discard gloves after each cleaning. If you are using reusable gloves, ID them and dedicate them for cleaning/disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19. Do not use these gloves for any other purposes. Wash hands after removing gloves.

Clean surfaces using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For disinfection of hard surfaces, diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol should be effective. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. Ensure bleach is suitable for the surface prior to use.

Multi-surface cleaners: Follow the instructions on the cleaning product label. Based on instructions, either use full-strength or diluted according to product recommendations. Apply to the surface until thoroughly wet. Leave on the surface for the designated contact tipe required for disinfection - indicated on back of the label. Wipe with a clean cloth, sponge, or mop.

Bleach solution (5%): Use 5mL of bleach per 250mL of water. Leave on the surface for a minimum of 10 minutes. Allow to air dry. Never mix bleach with any other cleaner or ammonia. Ensure bleach is suitable for the surface prior to use.

Disinfectant wipe and hand sanitizer: For surfaces, pre-clean surface then use a 70% alcohol based wipe to thoroughly wet the surface. Allow the surface to remain wet for 10 seconds and allow to air dry. Ensure hand sanitizer has a minimum 70% alcohol base. Rub hands until dry.

Common Cleaners Approved by Health Canada & the CDC:

3M Surface Disinfectant

Bleach

Comet Bathroom Cleaner

Clorox Cleaners

Fantastik Cleaner

Hydrogen Peroxide

Lysol Cleaners

Maquat

Purell

Scrubbing Bubbles Disinfectant Cleaners

Simple Green D Pro 3 Plus

Spray Nine (General and Marine Cleaner*)

You can purchase various cleaning products listed above through stores such as Home Hardware, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Rona, Walmart, etc.

We encourage operators to develop plans A, B and C in order to best navigate and prepare for the possible outcomes of this season. Here are are number of resources that we hope you find helpful in your plan development. We are working on other supports and will share those in the coming days and weeks:

Candian Center for Occupational Health and Safety: Pandemic Tip Sheets! Each document offers health and safety tips and good practices, for both employers and workers, specific to each industry or sector. Organizations and businesses can adopt this guidance to protect their workers and prevent the spread of infections.

The Canadian Business Resilience Network: The Government of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery. They are also partnering with Stats Canada on a national survey – goal to measure the impact on business, from a national perspective.

Resources from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business: With the emergence of COVID-19, the primary concern at CFIB is keeping you, your employees and your business safe. This page will provide you with expert advice to guide you through this difficult time, as well as templates and policies that prevent viral transmission in the workplace. Topics such as business continuity, how to access financial support, EI and employee income, employee management, business security and health and safety information can be found on this page. CFIB will also continue putting pressure on governments to give your business greater relief—including direct income support.

Payroll & COVID-19 From The Canadian Payroll Association: This flyer will help employers complete record of employments (ROEs) for employees who are need to undergo quarantine, were sent home due to the company temporarily closing, layoffs, and other reasons surrounding COVID-19. It also covers various scenarios on how to handle payroll for employees who need to stay home to take care of a sick family member or children, special measures surrounding the work sharing program and other scenarios.

Tourism HR Canada: They have gathered some guidance and a series of resources to help all tourism stakeholders stay healthy, communicate clearly, and remain resilient as Canada takes action to slow the spread of the virus and plans for recovery.

Federal Support Initiatives Through Canada's Regional Development Agencies: All tourism operators impacted by the sudden shifts in the economy who need pressing assistance could reach out to their local RDAs to receive assistance with accessing federal funding to help you stay in business and provide advice and pathfinding services to other federal programs and services applicable to you.

Ontario's Action Plan: The government’s first steps will make available $10 billion in support for people and businesses through tax credits and deferrals to improve their cash flow, protecting jobs and household budgets, while providing the resources necessary to protect their health. The announcements and supports announced so far can be seen on the link above.

BDC - COVID-19 Business Planning Tools: These planning tools and tips can help you map out your next steps, identify new opportunities, mitigate risk and create resilience in your company, so you can emerge strong in recovery. The BDC also put together this summary table of all the supports that have been made available through both the Federal and Provincial Governments and the eligibility criteria.

Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call Ontario's Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Help is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

1) What can I tell my guests if they have concerns?

UPDATED ANSWER:

As the situation develops, and once travel for tourism and recreational purposes are no longer restricted, we recommend you consider the following:

Share with them any additional precautions you are taking. This can include sharing information on COVID-19, prevention measures you have taken and enhanced cleaning protocols. You are welcome to use the NOTO's infographics.

Emphasize that your facilities are away from highly populated areas. You are located in a clean, natural environment with little to no contact with other individuals.

Provide your guests with travel tips:

By Car:

Have liquid hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in your vehicle.

Use disposable gloves when pumping gas and dispose of gloves when finished.

Wash your hands before and after each travel stop.

Bring garbage bags to dispose of used wipes, tissues, gloves and food items inside your vehicle and deposit into garbage receptacles at each travel stop.

Plan ahead and bring food to avoid eating in restaurants.

By Plane:

Have liquid hand sanitzer and disinfectant wipes in your carry-on.

Wipe down frequently touched surfaces in and around your seating area. Dispose of used wipes and wash/sanitize your hands once you are done.

As the situation develops, and once travel for tourism and recreational purposes are no longer restricted, we recommend you consider the following:

Keep an eye on where the virus has been confirmed and avoid new marketing initiatives in high risk regions.

Emphasize that your businesses are located in isolated outdoor environments, away from highly populated areas in Ontario if appropriate.

You may wish to spend more dollars in marketing domestically to fill vacancies.

Contact the destination marketing organization in your region for advice as well as potential new marketing initiatives and opportunities.

Check with Destination Ontario to leverage their marketing campaigns.

We advise against discounting your packages in any new marketing campaigns. You are providing a healthy and safe vacation destination option.

3) What advice do you have for operators getting calls from guests inquiring about cancelling their trips?

UPDATED ANSWER:

We have reached out to a number of our members to ask them how they are dealing with these calls. They have all expressed great concern over refunding deposits. As our industry faces the possibility of not having an operating season or at the very least having a late start to the season, considerable thought must be given to how you handle your cancellations.

We know that relationships you build with your clients are important to you and the success of your business but at a time like this, so is the revenue that you have generated from your deposits to date. Both are critical to your business' survival. Finding a way to retain both can be a challenge but it is something you need to consider. Remember, this pandemic was impossible to foresee for anyone and it is not your fault that you cannot be open.

A number of operators have shared with us the way they are dealing with calls from guests inquiring about cancelling. This is what we have heard:

At this point, most are offering the option to postpone May/June trips for later in the season (July/August). Bear Outfitters could offer to postpone spring hunting trips to the fall (if they can accommodate the increased number of guests for the fall)

For those guests who wish to cancel or whose trip is being cancelled due to your inability to open, offer to defer their trip to next year and offer to apply a percentage of the deposit they paid for their 2020 trip towards their 2021 (ie, 60-75% roll over). This gives you the opportunity to retain some of the deposit towards this year and shows your guests goodwill by sharing the cost with them.

Another option would be to offer to spread the deposit over two future trips. This would help to minimize future impacts.

Even if you have a no refund policy for deposits, these options may help to retain clients and ensure revenues for next year.

It is not recommended that you return deposits entirely. This will put the future of your business in serious jeopardy.

In the future, if you do not do so already, it is recommended that you encourage your clients to purchase trip cancellation insurance. There are a number of companies that offer it and we can provide more details to anyone who may be interested in learning more.

4) Should I continue my work permit application?

Yes. We encourage all operators to continue their work permit applications during this time. Please note: the Government is encouraging individuals to apply for work permits online. Due to service disruptions related to COVID-19, they are experiencing difficulties receiving and processing applications submitted by mail or in person at a VAC.

5) Although we can't open our business to the public, can we still hire staff to do maintenance?

UPDATED ANSWER: Starting Friday, June 5 at 12:01 am, our government is allowing short term rentals including lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and B&Bs to resume operations in Ontario.

Yes. However, the Ministry of Labour will expect that you have some kind of enhanced health and safety policy that your employees have signed and proof that you have applied these enhanced measures to ensure the health and safety of your employees. NOTO has created a policy you can use to help you meet these requirements. Click here to access this policy. We do not recommend having more than 5 people on-site per shift to ensure you meet the gathering restrictions and to ensure social distancing requirements are met. View additional resources and advice in the Maintenance section of this webpage.

6) Are accommodations still deemed essential?

UPDATED ANSWER:Starting Friday, June 5 at 12:01 am, our government is allowing short term rentals including lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and B&Bs to resume operations in Ontario.

7) Although there are many restrictions and we aren't technically a seasonal campground, can I open my trailer park?

UPDATED ANSWER:

Under the new essential businesses list, seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks can now prepare for the upcoming season. They can not open to the general public except for those who have paid a full season contract. For individuals who have paid a full season contract, the following applies: their trailer must be stationary, must be hooked up to water and electricity, have access to a facility for sewage disposal and act as a secondary permanent residence, much like seasonal residents who live in their cottages for most of the summer. These residents will be allowed to stay overnight in their trailers. All other facilities must remain closed as stated in the emergency order regarding the closure of outdoor recreational spaces. All other public amenities such as public washrooms must also remain closed.

8) Can I continue to book guests?

UPDATED ANSWER:Starting Friday, June 5 at 12:01 am, our government is allowing short term rentals including lodges, cabins, cottages, homes, condominiums and B&Bs to resume operations in Ontario.

9) Can my employees who are currently claiming EI, claim the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?

They can but only when their current EI runs out. On April 15th, as a means to help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the Government announced changes to the eligibility rules to:

Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.

Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their regular seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Extend the CERB to workers who have recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.

These changes will be retroactive to March 15, 2020. More details are available on the CERB portal.

10) When is the Canada-USA border going to re-open for tourism/leisurely travel?

Unfortunately, no one has the answer to this question. The length of time the border will remain closed will depend on the actions taken by both Governments and the actions of the people residing in both countries. The more people comply with the orders of staying home and avoiding all non-essential travel, including unnecessary trips to the grocery store, the more likely we are to see these restrictions ease before the fall.

11) When will American business owners be allowed to cross the Canada-US border to check on our properties?

UPDATED ANSWER: US Camp owners can now come into Canada but there are steps operators need to take prior to commencing travel. Please view the Border Update section of this page.

13) Does the order which prohibits camping on crown land impact my business if I operate with an LUP?

No. Those with LUPs are not impacted by any emergency order impacting crown land, only those with regards to the essential services list and other business related emergency orders (closure of outdoor recreational amenities, restaurant restrictions, gathering restrictions, etc.).

14) Although I can't open my camp, can I open my boat launch and allow the general public to use it?

UPDATED ANSWER: Marinas and boat launches can be open for recreational purposes. All other outdoor recreational facilities on the premise must remain closed. Please consult the essential services page for the exact stipulations.

These organizations and Government websites are updated regularly throughout the day. Members who would like to follow the developments of this outbreak are encouraged to visit any of the sources listed above.